TW: Persian Gulf tensions remain high; Russia and China add their concerns

Aircraft Carriers

Today’s TW News & Prophecy from the Living Church of God has the following:

Persian Gulf tensions remain high.

“Four [U.S.] Navy minesweepers will soon be on their way to the Persian Gulf… as part of an effort to boost American military capability in the region amid rising tensions with Iran, a Navy official says.” In March, the U.S. Navy moved four airborne mine countermeasure helicopters to the area to assist the British who are already there. The idea is “to beef up the American military presence in the region in the face of Iranian threats to shut down the Strait of Hormuz,” according to a plan set out by General James Mattis, head of the U.S. Central Command. The U.S. also plans to keep two carrier groups near the Strait of Hormuz (security.blogs.cnn.com, March 29, 2012).

Bible prophecy indicates an ongoing struggle between Middle Eastern nations and the nations of Europe and beyond (see Daniel 11). The Middle East figures prominently and repeatedly in end-time prophecy. For more information on what will occur in this volatile region, be sure to review our insightful booklet on The Middle East in Prophecy.

Much is happening in the Middle East. And since Iran is not the prophesied King of the South (Daniel 11:40), something must change to reduce its Islamic militaristic influence.

Of course, the religious leaders of Iran do not want a regime change that would eliminate their version of an Islamic empire. They may decide that they have no choice but to fight back hard believing that doing so represents their real opportunity to fulfill their view of Iran’s Islamic destiny. Earlier this year, Iran’s “supreme leader” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated “In light of the realization of the divine promise by almighty God, the Zionists and the Great Satan (America) will soon be defeated” (for more details see Ayatollah Khamenei Claims America “Will Soon be Defeated”). That would suggest that he might want Iran to fight back hard. And while Iran could somewhat harm the USA, Iran will not defeat the USA.

The USA apparently is trying to send Iran a message not to take various steps (as well as to possibly be able to support Israel should it decide to attack Iran). And while Iran probably understands that message, it still prefers to believe that its version of Islam will prevail, though biblically it would appear that it will not.

China and Russia are not pleased with the direction in that region as the following news items help show:

Beijing steps up pressure to prevent strike on Iran

A senior Chinese diplomat said on Friday an attack on Iran would invite devastating retaliation that would envelop the region and destabilize the global economic recovery, and added that the international community had to restrain itself from war.
http://www.jpost.com/LandedPages/PrintArticle.aspx?id=265094

U.S. Missile Defense in Gulf Signals Strike on Iran – Russian Lawmaker

A U.S.-backed plan to build a missile defense shield within the Gulf States may signal preparation for a military strike on Iran, Chairman of the State Duma International Affairs Committee Alexei Pushkov said on Friday.

“The building of a missile defense shield is a political step, which signals the possibility of a military strike against Iran,” he said, speaking at a round table conference on Iran at the Lower House of Parliament, the State Duma…

Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi sharply criticized the U.S.-backed missile defense project, saying that it was “against regional security.” http://en.rian.ru/russia/20120406/172654762.html

Tensions in the Middle East remain high and conflict may occur soon.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012 or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What is the “beginning of sorrows”? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Is the deal in Daniel 9:27 a peace deal?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?